Thank you for joining me in Part 2 of our Being Present series. In case you missed Part 1 (The Why – Why should we practice being present in the moment to help us grow and become our best selves), you can check it out here:
Today we are going to look at 5 ways to help us strengthen our skill of staying present and being in the moment.
1. Just Breathe
Breathing is something we do naturally, and we don’t always focus on it. But, when we need to help with staying present in the moment, our breath is a powerful tool and our anchor. Breathing exercises help us find our center, and when we focus on our breathing there is little time to focus on our distractions.
Check out a simple breathing exercise here:
2. Try a Meditation Practice or Grounding Technique
Mindfulness does not always come easily to us, especially with so many external interruptions to our days. Additionally, meditation isn’t a practice that some/many/all feel comfortable turning to because it requires practice and dedication. But, the more we practice, the closer we get to building a [good] habit. If you’re up for a challenge, try a mindful activity such as yoga…or you can simply take a mindful walk. If you want to dabble in meditation, try a simple grounding technique such as the 5-4-3-2-1 exercise (download available below). Your preferred strategy is completely up to you – simply choose what feels best!
3. Take a [Social Media] Vacation
Yes, social media is a great way to connect with others and stay up on what’s happening in the world around us. However, there is that unproductive and distracting side to it. Sometimes it’s seeing a friend or someone you follow on vacation while you are stuck at work. Sometimes it’s seeing photos of yourself on a vacation you once took while you are stuck at work. Either way, the thoughts that may creep in take up the headspace we need to focus on the tasks demanding our full attention.
4. Get Creative
Dance, draw, paint, decorate, garden, write…the list is endless! Just take time to tap into your creative energies. The more we enjoy our experiences, the more we enjoy being in the present moment. If you want more inspiration, check out this affiliate link for a book by Elizabeth Gilbert (it’s a favorite on my bookshelf!):
5. Become One with Nature
Take a walk and notice everything with your senses – see the world around you with fresh eyes. When you focus on your surroundings, you are focused on what’s right in front of you. Let your senses ground you and be your anchor. And, if you can’t step out because of weather or other circumstances, try a meditation app with nature sounds. Calm is a great one to try (and on repeat for me!). Check it out here:
Hopefully, one (or all) of these suggestions will be helpful in finding ways to stay present and in the moment. As with anything, creating a new [positive] habit takes time but in the end, it will be totally worth it. Let me know in the comments if any of these work for you.
Sending all the good vibes…
~S~
Teacher-Life-Coach 